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WO1986003399A1 - Echarpe a suspension cantilever - Google Patents

Echarpe a suspension cantilever Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1986003399A1
WO1986003399A1 PCT/US1984/001999 US8401999W WO8603399A1 WO 1986003399 A1 WO1986003399 A1 WO 1986003399A1 US 8401999 W US8401999 W US 8401999W WO 8603399 A1 WO8603399 A1 WO 8603399A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
patient
arm
trough
support member
elbow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1984/001999
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James A. Lilla
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP19850900379 priority Critical patent/EP0207935A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1984/001999 priority patent/WO1986003399A1/fr
Publication of WO1986003399A1 publication Critical patent/WO1986003399A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices ; Anti-rape devices
    • A61F5/37—Restraining devices for the body or for body parts; Restraining shirts
    • A61F5/3715—Restraining devices for the body or for body parts; Restraining shirts for attaching the limbs to other parts of the body
    • A61F5/3723—Restraining devices for the body or for body parts; Restraining shirts for attaching the limbs to other parts of the body for the arms
    • A61F5/3738—Slings

Definitions

  • This invention relates to medical devices and, more particularly, to arm slings and methods of supporting a patient's arm.
  • slings include those having a soft, very flexible fabric envelope, or closed trough, which surrounds and provides some support to the patient's forearm. In some cases, slings of this design prevent easy access to the patient's arm for therapeutic purposes.
  • this type of sling is supported by a strap attached near the distal end of the fabric envelope and extending around the patient's neck. The proximal portion of the supporting strap for a flexible envelope continues over or behind the shoulder of the arm being supported, that is, the ipsilateral shoulder.
  • the weight being supported often presses on the side or back of the neck of the individual.
  • the result is that the patient's arm extends across the front of the patient's chest, rotation of the patient's upper .arm at the shoulder joint is severely restricted, and elevation of the distal end of the patient's arm is difficult and uncomfortable. That is, if the strap is tightened to elevate the patient's hand and wrist, the arm is pulled even more tightly to the chest.
  • the height of hand elevation is limited to how tightly the strap can be made around the neck, how closely the trough can be brought to the neck, and whether or not the distal end of the flexible envelope collapses in the process of elevation, thus allowing the hand and wrist to droop.
  • a variety of arm sling positions are desired depending upon the patient's particular injury or disability; so that an arm sling which provides for a wide range of positions depending upon the needs of a particular patient is very desirable. These positions include one in which the upper arm is substantially vertical while the forearm is substantially horizontal and extends across the patient's lower chest. Another position is one in which the upper arm is still vertical but the forearm is elevated from the elbow at approximately 45 degrees and extends across the front of the patient's chest, keeping the patient's hand above the heart to prevent edema.
  • Some prior art slings include an elbow pocket to help support the arm and to keep the patient's arm in the fabric envelope when the forearm is elevated.
  • Slings which have a soft, fabric envelope do not always adequately support the patient's hand and wrist, especially when the forearm is elevated, since the flexible envelope tends to telescope downward along the forearm. While others do provide support, they do so by rigidly holding the patient's hand in position with a strap. In some cases rigidly holding the hand may perhaps be necessary, but for other cases requiring support only, these slings may be very uncomfortable.
  • This invention provides an arm sling which gives substantial support to a patient's elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand without rigidly fixing the patient's hand or wrist in position.
  • the invention permits easy access to the patient's arm while facilitating elevation of the patient's forearm to a number of positions, and at the same time allowing rotation of the patient's upper arm at the shoulder joint.
  • an improved method and versatile apparatus for an arm sling is disclosed.
  • the sling includes a semi-rigid or rigid arm support member, which is formed according to one aspect of the invention, from a sheet of flexible plastic material, cardboard, or the like.
  • the arm support member is formed into a trough for supporting the patient's elbow at the proximate end of the trough, and the patient's wrist and forearm at the distal end thereof.
  • the middle portion of the trough supports and partially encircles the patient's forearm, leaving the top of the trough open for easy access.
  • the ends of an adjustable strap are coupled respectively to the middle portion of the arm support member, that is, away from the distal end of the trough and to a point on the arm support member near the patient's elbow at the proximate end of the trough.
  • the strap extends from the middle portion of the trough, over the patient's ipsilateral shoulder, downwardly across the patient's back, and across the front of the patient's upper body to a point on the arm support member near the patient's elbow.
  • the strap thus suspends the patient's arm in the trough formed from the semi-rigid arm support member, in a cantilevered fashion.
  • Adjustment of the strap length provides for elevation of the distal end of the patient's forearm (including his wrist and hand) to a variety of positions.
  • the invention leaves such distal end of the trough relatively free for lateral movement, and allows rotation of the patient's upper arm at the shoulder joint.
  • the arm support member has a pair of side portions, to which a yoke is connected.
  • the adjustable strap is then connected to the yoke to support the patient's forearm in a cantilevered fashion, that is, near the middle of the trough and away from the distal end of the trough, while the relatively rigid distal end of the trough provides support for the patient's wrist ( and hand.
  • an elbow piece is provided for the arm support member. It should be apparent that one of a number of elbow angles is required when using the invention. With this in mind, adjustable means are provided for fixing the elbow piece in position at a particular angle with respect to the arm support member. In a preferred embodiment, these adjustable means include pressure-sensitive engaging means, such as those available under the tradename "Velcro", for adjustably fixing the angle of the elbow piece relative to the trough, and also for adjusting the width of the trough to accommodate the width of the patient's arm.
  • pressure- sensitive engaging means such as those available under the tradename "Velcro"
  • the cantilevered suspension of the semi-rigid arm trough thus permits the distal end of a patient's arm to be comfortably supported at a point away from the distal end of the trough and provides unencumbered access to the patient's arm.
  • this invention permits the patient's arm to be elevated to any desired position while still permitting rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint as well as allowing free lateral movement of the arm from a position having the arm extending directly across the patient's body to a position with the arm extending forward and away from the body.
  • the adjustable aspect of the elbow piece also facilitates and improves patient care and comfort.
  • FIGURE 1 is a front view of a patient wearing a sling according to the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a sling with the elements thereof shown arranged for use;
  • FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a one-piece arm support member according to the invention
  • FIGURE 4 is a partially cutaway view of a yoke and an adjustable support strap according to the invention
  • FIGURE 5 is a front view of a patient wearing a sling according to the invention with the patient's forearm elevated 45 degrees and extending across the patient's chest;
  • FIGURE 6 is a front view of a patient wearing a sling in the elevated position of FIGURE 5 but with the arm laterally moved away from the patient's chest.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a sling assembly 10 supporting the arm 12 of a typical patient 14 in one of a number of positions.
  • An arm support member 16 is formed into a trough 17 which partially encircles and supports the patient's forearm 18.
  • support member 16 is a sheet of a semi-rigid (slightly flexible) material, such as of a cardboard or of a vinyl, polyethylene or polypropylene plastic.
  • a semi-rigid (slightly flexible) material such as of a cardboard or of a vinyl, polyethylene or polypropylene plastic.
  • it could be of a rigid material formed into a desired shape for supporting a patient's arm.
  • FIGURE 2 shows on a somewhat larger scale, the trough 17 formed by the arm support member 16.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 also show a support strap 34 coupled by means of a yoke strap at one end 36 to the middle portion 30 of the arm support member 16, that is, away from the distal end 24.
  • a major advantage of coupling the support strap 34 at this point is that the patient's wrist and hand are supported in a cantilevered fashion, thereby enabling the freedom and flexibility discussed previously.
  • Another advantage, apparent from FIGURE 1, is that the support means for the trough 17 does not interfere with access to the patient's arm or appliances thereon.
  • the strap 34 extends, as shown, over the patient's ipsilateral shoulder 38, that is, the shoulder to which the arm under treatment is connected, diagonally downwardly across the patient's back 40 and then around and across the front 42 of the patient's upper body.
  • FIGURE 2 shows the other end 44 of the strap 34 coupled to the arm support member 16 at the proximate end 28 of the trough 17 near the patient's elbow 26.
  • the strap 34 thus provides support to the patient's forearm 18, as well as to the wrist 20 and hand 22, by suspending the semi-rigid arm support member 16 in a cantilevered fashion from the patient's shoulder 38.
  • the strap is adjustable in length so that the distal end of the patient's arm can be elevated by the trough 17 to a desired, predeter- mined position as required. When it is adjusted by. for example, tightening, the patient's elbow is brought forward as an anchor point and the trough is simultaneously elevated. The weight of the extremity is distributed by the strap diagonally across the back of the patient.
  • An arc 46 is included in FIGURE 1, indicating that the distal end of the patient's forearm, which includes the wrist 20 and hand 22, is free to move laterally and that the patient's vertically-oriented upper arm 48 can rotate at the shoulder joint 50 while the patient's elbow 26 remains in the same relative location.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 show a yoke member, in this preferred embodiment a thin strap 54, having ends 56, 58 thereof attached to respective ones of a pair of side portions, or lateral flaps 60, 62 extending from the arm support member 16 to form opposite sides of the trough 17.
  • the end 36 of the strap 34 is connected to the yoke strap 54 and, as previously described, supports the patient's forearm away from its distal end in a cantilevered fashion, leaving the distal end 24 of the trough 17 free from support means while still providing comfortable support for the patient's forearm, wrist, and hand.
  • yoke strap 54 enhances access to the patient's forearm by elevating- the end 36 of the strap 34 from the trough.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 show an elbow piece 68 coupled to the arm support member 16.
  • Means for adjustably fixing the elbow piece 68 at various angles with respect to the trough 17 are provided by a pressure-sensitive engaging means. That is, the straps 70, 72 having portions thereon available under the tradena e "Velcro" providing hooks which engage looped portions of corresponding strips 74, 76 fixed to the inside surface of the trough 17.
  • the straps 70, 72 extend through corresponding elongated slots 80, 82 formed in the lateral flaps 60, 62.
  • the straps 70, 72 permit the angle of the elbow piece 68 to be adjusted to accommodate various angles of the patient's elbow, which angles correspond to various elevations of the distal end of the patient's forearm.
  • the straps 70, 72 also permit the proximate end 28 of the trough 17 to be adjusted in width to accommodate the width of the patient's arm.
  • the elbow piece 68 provides support to the patient's elbow 26 and upper arm 48
  • FIGURE 3 illustrates in plan a preferred embodiment of the semi-rigid arm support member, formed with a symmetrically-shaped sheet of plastic material, cardboard, or other suitable material have semi-rigid, flexible characteristics.
  • the arm support member 16 includes the lateral flaps 60, 62 which form the sides for the trough 17.
  • the elongated slots 80, 82 are formed in the flaps 60, 62 and the strips 74, 76 are attached as shown to permit the straps 70, 72, each riveted at one end to the sides of the elbow piece 68, to fix the elbow piece 68 in one of a number of positions.
  • FIGURE 4 shows a fabric strap 34 having attached at one end 36 the yoke strap 54.
  • a strap length adjustment buckle 90 and a strap fastener snaphook assembly 92, which fastens to a D-ring 93 (shown in FIGURE 2) fastened adjacent the elbow piece to the arm s " upport member 16.
  • D-ring 93 shown in FIGURE 2
  • FIGURE 1 shows the patient's forearm in a position extending slightly below horizontal with the distal end of the arm being free to be moved laterally towards and away from the front 42 of the patient's body, as indicated by the arc 46.
  • the patient's upper arm 48 can also rotate in the shoulder joint 50.
  • the elbow piece 68 is adjusted to accommodate the elbow angle and provide support to the elbow.
  • the strap 34 and yoke 54 suspend the arm from the patient's shoulder 38 in a cantilevered fashion, leaving the forearm, and especially the wrist and hand, well supported by the trough 17 and easily accessible.
  • FIGURE 5 shows the patient's forearm in a 45 degree elevated position across the front 42 of the patient's body.
  • the length to the strap 34 is shortened from that shown in FIGURE 1 so that the patient's arm is pulled upward and the elbow piece is adjusted as shown.
  • the strap 34 is shortened, the patient's elbow is pulled forward and the yoke strap 54 pulls upwardly.
  • FIGURE 6 shows the patient's arm in the 45 degree elevated position of FIGURE 5 but with the arm rotated to the front of the patient.
  • the invention offers an attractive sling means for supporting a patient's arm at a point away from the distal end of the arm, while still providing comfortable support to the patient's wrist and hand. This is accomplished with the cantilevered support given to the arm with the semi-rigid arm support member depending from the strap provided according to the invention.
  • the invention provides freedom to laterally move the distal end of the patient's arm and rotate the patient's upper arm at the shoulder joint for all arm elevation positions.
  • the open, unencumbered trough design and the adjustable elbow angle are also attractive features of this invention.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

Echarpe comprenant une rigole semi-rigide (17) qui entoure partiellement et soutient l'avant-bras, le poignet et la main d'un patient. Un étrier (54) est relié aux côtés de la rigole (17), en un point éloigné de l'extrémité distale. Une courroie dont on peut régler la longueur, part de l'étrier (54) et s'étend vers le haut, en passant sur le devant de l'épaule ipsilatérale du patient, en diagonale sur le dos du patient et transversalement sur le devant du corps du patient, et rejoint un point d'attache sur la rigole (17) près du coude du patient. Une pièce pour le coude (68), fixée à la rigole et ajustable, peut être adaptée à différents angles de coude et à différentes largeurs de bras. L'étrier soutient l'avant-bras, le poignet et la main du patient en cantilever, ce à des hauteurs différentes, tout en ne gênant pas le mouvement latéral de l'extrémité distale de la rigole, ni la rotation de la partie supérieure du bras du patient au niveau de la rotation de l'épaule.
PCT/US1984/001999 1984-12-07 1984-12-07 Echarpe a suspension cantilever Ceased WO1986003399A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19850900379 EP0207935A1 (fr) 1984-12-07 1984-12-07 Echarpe a suspension cantilever
PCT/US1984/001999 WO1986003399A1 (fr) 1984-12-07 1984-12-07 Echarpe a suspension cantilever

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1984/001999 WO1986003399A1 (fr) 1984-12-07 1984-12-07 Echarpe a suspension cantilever

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1986003399A1 true WO1986003399A1 (fr) 1986-06-19

Family

ID=22182353

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1984/001999 Ceased WO1986003399A1 (fr) 1984-12-07 1984-12-07 Echarpe a suspension cantilever

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0207935A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1986003399A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9314053U1 (de) * 1993-09-17 1994-03-03 GMT Gesellschaft für medizinische Technik mbH, 22767 Hamburg Abstützkissen
US8109273B2 (en) 2009-11-18 2012-02-07 Cradle Medical, Inc. Shoulder immobilizer and fracture stabilization device
US10463565B2 (en) 2011-06-17 2019-11-05 Coolsystems, Inc. Adjustable patient therapy device
US10518262B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2019-12-31 Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc. Low elasticity films for microfluidic use

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2460589A (en) * 1945-07-27 1949-02-01 Ada V Lewis Arm support
US2980426A (en) * 1959-09-25 1961-04-18 Clifford S Johnson Device for bowlers
US3815588A (en) * 1972-10-27 1974-06-11 B Klausner Apparatus and methods relating to support of the forearm
US4198964A (en) * 1979-01-11 1980-04-22 Zimmer Usa, Inc. Acromioclavicular brace
US4232664A (en) * 1979-01-11 1980-11-11 Gerald Blatt Arm elevator and sling

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2460589A (en) * 1945-07-27 1949-02-01 Ada V Lewis Arm support
US2980426A (en) * 1959-09-25 1961-04-18 Clifford S Johnson Device for bowlers
US3815588A (en) * 1972-10-27 1974-06-11 B Klausner Apparatus and methods relating to support of the forearm
US4198964A (en) * 1979-01-11 1980-04-22 Zimmer Usa, Inc. Acromioclavicular brace
US4232664A (en) * 1979-01-11 1980-11-11 Gerald Blatt Arm elevator and sling

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9314053U1 (de) * 1993-09-17 1994-03-03 GMT Gesellschaft für medizinische Technik mbH, 22767 Hamburg Abstützkissen
US8109273B2 (en) 2009-11-18 2012-02-07 Cradle Medical, Inc. Shoulder immobilizer and fracture stabilization device
US9492303B2 (en) 2009-11-18 2016-11-15 Djo, Llc Shoulder immobilizer and fracture stabilization device
US10918513B2 (en) 2009-11-18 2021-02-16 Djo, Llc Shoulder immobilizer and fracture stabilization device
US10463565B2 (en) 2011-06-17 2019-11-05 Coolsystems, Inc. Adjustable patient therapy device
US10518262B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2019-12-31 Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc. Low elasticity films for microfluidic use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0207935A1 (fr) 1987-01-14

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